Annual Report 2016-2017
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NEIL SQUIRE SOCIETY 2016 - 2017 Annual Report Contents 3 Message from the Chair of the Board 5 Dr. Gary Birch at United Nations 6 Dr. Gary Birch at OECD Meeting 7 Cumberland House 9 Media Day 11 Community Knowledge Exchange 12 Dr. Gary Birch attends Accessible Canada 13 Hands on with Google Analytics Webinar 13 AMI Inside: Ability Starts Here 14 Access Makeathon 16 #BCTech Summit and Monday Makeathon 18 Laurentia and Silviya: BC Christian Academy 20 Win-Win for Employer and Employee 21 A Fresh Perspective for Karen and Quyen 23 A Wonderful Opportunity for Braeden and Melissa 25 Working Together Helps Harvest House 27 Evan Finds Hope and a New Job 28 Bryon Puts His Life Back on Track 29 Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce 30 Rahul Finds Absolute Freedom 32 Ean Continues to Make a Difference 33 Lori Continues to Serve the Community 35 Lily Gets Comfortable on the Computer Again Neil Squire Society — 30 Years Ago 36 Zorica Finds an Office Job The Neil Squire Society expanded across Canada in 1987, 37 Lorne's Story: A Computer Comfort Success setting up offices in BC, SK, ON, and NB, thanks to funding from the federal government ($3.4 million over 3 years). 37 Loving to Learn Again 38 Distance Computer Comfort Statistics The Neil Squire Society is committed to accessibility. If you would like 39 Footprints to Employment to receive this report in an alternative or paper format please contact us at: [email protected] 41 Government Funders 42 Major Donors 42 Donors 43 Statement of Financial Positions 45 Board and Committee Members 3 | ANNUAL REPORT Message from the Chair of the Board The 2016/17 year was another milestone year for have ever greater influence and impact. the Neil Squire Society. Our exceptional team met and/or exceeded virtually all our balanced scorecard Speaking of impact, another one of our continued goals that were set by the Board for the year. More successes this past year was with the LipSync importantly, and true to our Vision, the society project and Makers Making Change – this is truly an supported and made a positive impact serving over exciting opportunity that has growing potential and 3,700 people with disabilities, more than ever before the opportunity for even greater impact than we can in the history of the Society. Something we are very currently imagine. It’s one to watch! proud of. As noted previously, the number of People served Some highlights for the year... continues to show truly amazing results and The WTEEE Working Together program, which is something to be proud of. We will continue to funded by the Opportunities Fund, continues to look for opportunities to partner with likeminded perform very well. We are either on track or slightly organizations to better serve the Ontario (GTA) and ahead of track to meet our obligations by the end Quebec (Montreal) markets and we hope to make of the 3rd year. This success is a testament to the positive inroads in the next year. As many as 3,700 team who have continued to refine and improve people served is a new record for the Neil Squire the program over the years, but also an indication Society, and yet it is barely scraping the surface of the market need and opportunity the program is of the potential to serve people with disabilities in addressing. Canada. Fundraising activities were again a priority this Once again Dr. Birch’s leadership continued to reach year with solid fundraising results particularly in far beyond the Society this year. He presented the government and corporate grants. Overall a keynote at the BC Professional Engineering development targets were exceeded despite our Association’s AGM and a keynote at the Nova Scotia Director of Development also leading the highly government’s annual conference in celebration of successful LipSync project. Money raised by the UN day of persons with disabilities. Dr. Birch the development office played a critical role in also remains very active on committees and specific providing the organization with the opportunity to consultations both provincially and federally. This pursue exciting and important initiatives as well past year in fact has been particularly busy with as significantly helping out the overall bottom line. the first phase of the new Federal Accessibility Act, Looking ahead, the addition of a new fundraiser, and the widespread public, and by invitation only, through the support of LIFT Philanthropy Partners, consultations that took place. He was also highly working specifically on non-government sources of engaged with the CRTC and Elections Canada. funding is a very exciting endeavor and we can’t wait Dr. Birch is truly Canada’s leading authority on to see how this might further enable the Society to accessible technology. 4 | ANNUAL REPORT While there is still some uncertainty to the outcome partnerships, and good governance, ultimately the of some of the broader impacting government and true test of the Society’s success is in the people we industry partnerships we worked on this past year serve and the difference we make in their lives and such as the Federal Accessibility Act and CRTC/ those closes to them. As always I would encourage Telus Accessibility Gateway project, there is clearly you to check out some of the personal stories that great momentum building around Neil Squire being we have helped create over the past year. I am recognized as a catalyst for change in Canada and constantly inspired by these amazing stories of beyond. courage, innovation and dedicated support towards our Vision of Economic and Social Inclusiveness for As we look ahead we continue to see unprecedented all people with disabilities. technology change in our world. We are actively explore opportunities to partner with industry and Of course without the passion and dedication of our government on initiatives such as autonomous many employees and volunteers none of this would vehicle, smart cities, mobile devices, shared and/ be possible. On behalf of the Society I would like or autonomous transportation, smart devices to thank management, employees, our donors and such as e-wheelchairs, as well as exploring the all the volunteers for their amazing contributions ever increasing potential of digital connectedness that made this another great year at the Neil Squire through communications and social media. The Society. future is bright and the Neil Squire Society is well positioned to play an important role in creating a world of accessible technology. Finally, at the Governance level, I am pleased to Drew Collier see the Board is highly engaged, we are seeing the Neil Squire Society, Board Chair 2016/17 benefits of our governance framework review, have a solid planning methodology and much improved risk assessment and management. Recently we also received good feedback through a review conducted by LIFT Philanthropy Partners that validated the work undertaken to improve Board/Management relations and governance. The year ahead will welcome in a new Board Chair and other fresh minds joining the Board and Advisory committees. Having renewed ideas and energy is exactly what the Board needs to maintain its momentum. In summary... While we often talk in terms of balanced scorecards, programs, government grants/contracts, industry 5 | ANNUAL REPORT Dr. Gary Birch Co-Chairs Roundtable 3 at the 9th Session of the Conference of State Parties at the United Nations JUNE 13, 2016 — On June 13th, Neil Squire Society Executive Director, Dr. Gary Birch, co-chaired Roundtable 3: Enhancing accessibility to information and technology and inclusive development, at the 9th session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Mr. Paweł Radomski, Deputy Permanent Representative of Poland to the United Nations co-chaired with Dr. Birch. The conference took place from June 14-16, 2016 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, New York, and was held under the theme “Implementing the 2030 development agenda for all persons with disabilities: Leaving no one behind”. Dr. Birch was nominated by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities and selected by the Civil Society Coordination Mechanism, which comprises a number of organizations of persons with disabilities, NGOs, and other stakeholders. He represented civil society around the world at this Roundtable. 6 | ANNUAL REPORT Dr. Gary Birch Participated in OECD Ministerial Meeting on the Digital Economy: Innovation, Growth and Social Prosperity JUNE 20, 2016 — Dr. Gary Birch, Executive will improve the economic and social well-being Director of the Neil Squire Society was invited by The of people around the world. The OECD provides a Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, forum in which governments can work together to Science and Economic Development, to participate share experiences and seek solutions to common in the OECD Ministerial Meeting on the Digital problems. The 2016 Ministerial meeting builds on Economy: Innovation, Growth and Social Prosperity. two previous OECD Ministerial meetings on the The Ministerial meeting took place from June 21-23, digital economy and will mark another pivotal point 2016 in Cancun, Mexico. in the evolution of the digital economy, one in which the economy is in fact becoming fully digital. Minister Bains was one of five Vice-Chairs supporting Mexico as Chair. The OECD meeting provided an opportunity to gather with domestic and international colleagues to reinforce the importance of digital transformation, internet openness, and cyber resilience for economic growth and innovation. Dr. Birch leads the work of the Society’s R&D group and is currently a member of no less than 14 active committees that have mandates from social inclusion to active professional standards organizations. This work goes towards helping governments, professional bodies and other agencies in their understanding of the needs of people with disabilities.